This
writing
describes
the
functions,
characteristics,
and
consequences
of
two
opposing
conditions
of
our
spiritual
heart
described
in
the
Bible:
one
is
a
hardened
heart,
the
other
is
a
broken
and
contrite
heart.
The
intent
is
to
illuminate
the
importance
of
being
aware
of
the
spiritual
condition
of
your
heart;
to
recognize
why
we
(and
others)
do
what
we
do;
and
to
witness
the transformational influence of God’s grace upon a hardened heart.
Jesus
said,
“A
good
man
out
of
the
good
treasure
of
his
heart
brings
forth
good;
and
an
evil
man
out
of
the
evil
treasure
of
his
heart
brings
forth
evil.
For
out
of
the
abundance
of
the
heart
his
mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45
“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23
Hardened Heart
“Happy is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.” Proverbs 28:14
“But
in
accordance
with
your
hardness
and
your
impenitent
heart
you
are
treasuring
up
for
yourself
wrath
in
the
day
of
wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.” Romans 2:5
There are three primary pathways that lead to a hardened heart:
•
Sin
•
Works-based
religion:
saved
by
adherence
to
behavioral
laws
and
not
God’s
unmerited
grace
in
Jesus
Christ.
Example:
Pharisees
who
believed
salvation
was
based
on adherence to religious laws and works (Matthew 23).
•
Unforgiveness
As
a
heart
hardens,
defensive
shields
will
develop
to
circumvent
(repel,
evade,
thwart,
stop)
what
the
eyes
see
and
what
the
ears
hear.
The
consequences
are
constricted
spiritual
awareness;
an
obstructed
reception
of
God’s
grace;
and
an
ever-increasing darkness within.
“They
are
darkened
in
their
understanding
and
separated
from
the
life
of
God
because
of
the
ignorance
that
is
in
them
due
to
the hardening of their hearts.” Ephesians 4:18
The
hardened
condition
of
our
heart
will
become
even
stronger
when
we
encounter
the
will
of
God
via
the
Holy
Spirit—and
we
decide
to
fight
His
will
by
holding
onto
our
pride;
and
our
arrogance;
and
as
we
foolishly
justify
our
decision
based
upon
a
self-centered
deceptional
lie.
The
only
means
to
maintain
our
position—and
disagreement
with
God—is
to
increase
the
hardness
of
our
heart.
There
is
no
other
option
for
the
stubborn
and
unwilling
heart
of
one
who
decides
to
not
listen
and obey the Holy Spirit.
For
example,
consider
how
the
heart
of
Pharaoh
was
hardened—even
when
he
witnessed
miraculous
signs
from
God.
(Exodus
chapters
7-14).
He
dug
his
heels
in;
he
would
not
listen;
he
would
not
obey;
and
he
would
not
yield—because his heart was hardened.
The
consequences
of
our
folly
are
a
disconnection
from
the
One
who
loves
us,
desensitization
of
our
conscience,
internal
turmoil,
and
worsening
behaviors
intended
to
protect
and
maintain
the
heart’s
hardened
condition.
This
is
what
occurs
when
we
decide
to
turn
away
from
the
Truth—Who
continues
to
scream
at
us
with
a
very
quiet,
patient,
and
loving
voice
calling
us
to
repentance.
But
praise
God
in
that
His
voice
cannot
be
muted…because
God
fulfills
all
His promises. Even if we attempt to run…He said He would never leave us nor forsake us. Hebrews 13:5
Meanwhile,
we
do
everything
possible
to
not
listen,
and
blindly
seek
means
to
overcome
the
darkness
within
our
soul.
We
self-medicate.
We
blame
others.
We
seek
to
satisfy
the
lusts
of
our
flesh.
We
consume
useless
mind-numbing
information.
We
listen
to
demonically-inspired
lies
that
align
with—and
justify—our
deceived
minds.
But
we
know…deep within our soul…we are wrong. Dead wrong.
Hardening of a Christian Heart
Hardening
of
the
heart
may
be
even
stronger
for
one
who
knows
Jesus
Christ…than
one
who
does
not
know
Him.
This
type
of
hardening
can
occur
when
one
who
has
been
enlightened
by
the
Holy
Spirit
decides
to
reject
His
Lordship,
and
return
to
their
old
“self.”
When
this
occurs,
to
continually
reinforce
a
deceptional
lie
one
must
actively
repel
all
truth—which
requires
layer
upon
layer
of
additional
“armor.”
Meanwhile,
there
are
two
options
if
they
continue
their
destructive
path:
(1)
they
can
stay
within
the
church
body
and
hide
behind
a
fake
front,
or
(2)
they
can
leave
their
church
body.
Meanwhile,
the
Christian
will
live
a
life
“in
between”
the
non-saved
and
the
saved:
a
spiritual
“limbo.”
Their
hardened
heart
causes
them
to
be
unable
to
relate
to
those
in
the
world
(because
they
know,
understand,
and
see
the
consequences
of
sin);
and
because
they
are
not
able
to
relate
to
brothers
and
sisters
in
Christ
because
of
condemnation and guilt.
Unfortunately,
all
of
us
can
relate
to
living
life
“in
between”
because
we
have
all
been
there!
This
struggle
defines
the
decisive
battle
of
who
is
Lord
of
our
soul.
In
the
midst
of
trying
to
maintain
control;
in
the
midst
of
being
pulled
in
multiple
directions,
in
the
midst
of
all
the
noise,
confusion,
pain,
and
darkness…is
a
desire
deep
within
our
heart
to
be
right with God; to be more like Him and less like ourselves; and to be free from that which binds our soul.
The Pharisee and the Tax Collector
Jesus
Christ
used
parables
to
challenge
our
thinking,
enlighten
our
understanding,
and
reveal
spiritual
truths
that
can
only
come
from
the
One
who
designed
us.
The
parable
of
the
Pharisee
and
tax
coll
ector
reveals
God
is
more
interested in the attitude, desires, and condition of our heart…than our outward behavior.
Jesus
spoke,
“Two
men
went
up
to
the
temple
to
pray,
one
a
Pharisee
and
the
other
a
tax
collector.
The
Pharisee
stood
and
prayed
thus
with
himself,
‘God,
I
thank
You
that
I
am
not
like
other
men—extortioners,
unjust,
adulterers,
or
even
as
this
tax
collector.
I
fast
twice
a
week;
I
give
tithes
of
all
that
I
possess.’
And
the
tax
collector,
standing
afar
off,
would
not
so
much
as
raise
his
eyes
to
heaven,
but
beat
his
breast,
saying,
‘God,
be
merciful
to
me
a
sinner!’
I
tell
you,
this
man
went
down
to
his
house
justified
rather
than
the
other;
for
everyone
who
exalts
himself
will
be
humbled,
and
he
who
humbles
himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14
The
Pharisee
believed
salvation
was
based
on
adherence
to
religious
laws
and
works,
and
did
everything
he
thought
was
required.
As
such,
he
thought
he
was
“good
enough.”
However,
he
exhibited
an
additional
darkened
dimension
of
a
hardened
heart:
judgmental
hypocrisy.
This
is
when
we
judge
others
while
failing
to
recognize
our
own
flaws.
But
what’s truly sad, because of his hardened heart he was unable to understand the heart of God.
Those
who
place
their
faith
in
God’s
grace—extended
to
us
in
the
sacrificial
death
of
His
Son,
Jesus
Christ—like
the
tax collector, will see themselves—and God—from a completely different perspective.
“But
God,
who
is
rich
in
mercy,
because
of
His
great
love
with
which
He
loved
us,
even
when
we
were
dead
in
trespasses, made us alive together with Christ.” Ephesians 2:4-5
Broken and Contrite Heart
Softening
and
“healing”
of
a
hardened
heart
begins
when
we’ve
reached
the
point
where
we
have
had
enough:
when
the
pain
exceeds
the
pleasure.
This
is
when
a
crack
occurs
in
the
armor
that’s
protecting
our
heart
allowing
a
“sliver
of
light”
via
the
Holy
Spirit
to
enter
and
illuminate
His
Truth;
this
is
when
our
hardened
heart
begins
to
weaken
from
the
internal
pressure
of
regret
and
sorrow;
this
is
when
God’s
grace
acts
as
a
solvent
to
dissolve
the
hardened
layers,
and
soften
the
scars;
and
this
is
when
we
experience
the
miraculous
influence
and
power
of
God’s
grace
upon
our
heart’s
broken and contrite transformation.
Broken
is
defined
as
damaged,
altered,
or
disrupted
by
change.
Contrite
is
a
feeling
or
showing
sorrow
and
remorse
for sin. However, a broken and contrite heart is more, much more. A broken and contrite heart occurs when we:
•
See and understand the depth of our depravity.
•
Despise who we are.
•
Are repulsed by what we have done.
•
Accept responsibility for our behavior.
•
Realize the uselessness of relying upon our flawed self-centered decisions…and decide to trust God.
•
Desire to become more like Jesus and less like ourselves.
•
This is when:
o
Our pride melts into humility.
o
We humbly kneel before the mercy of God and Lordship of Jesus Christ.
o
God can change us from within.
“But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word.” Isaiah 66:2
“For
You
do
not
desire
sacrifice,
or
else
I
would
give
it;
You
do
not
delight
in
burnt
offering.
The
sacrifices
of
God
are
a
broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart—these, O God, You will not despise.” P
salm 51:16-17
In addition, a broken and contrite heart will:
•
Grieve over their sin (a key requirement for repentance).
•
Not judge others, but will be filled with understanding and compassion.
•
Not allow sinful thoughts to fester into unrighteousness.
•
Seek the strength of God to move towards His holiness.
•
Be renewed via trials and tribulations.
•
Experience agape love.
“I
will
give
you
a
new
heart
and
put
a
new
spirit
within
you;
I
will
take
the
heart
of
stone
out
of
your
flesh
and
give
you
a
heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26
“For
thus
says
the
High
and
Lofty
One
Who
inhabits
eternity,
whose
name
is
Holy:
‘I
dwell
in
the
high
and
holy
place,
with
him
who
has
a
contrite
and
humble
spirit,
to
revive
the
spirit
of
the
humble,
and
to
revive
the
heart
of
the
contrite
ones.’” Isaiah 57:15
“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8
I
pray
this
writing
provides
you
with
a
greater
understanding
of
the
condition
of
your
heart.
But
more
important,
you
yield
moment-by-moment
to
the
Lordship
of
Jesus
Christ
as
the
Holy
Spirit
prepares
us
to
live
for
eternity
with
our
Savior.
Additional writings are accessible by clicking on the Home button below. Topics include:
•
21 Signs of the Last Days
•
Foundation
•
Body, Heart, Soul, and Spirit
•
Emotions
•
Free Will
•
Pride
•
Revelation’s Blessings
•
Memories
•
Angels, Fallen Angels & Demons
Each writing (PDF file) may be downloaded for free and read and/or forwarded to others…including this writing!
Click the link below to hear a wonderful song of praise that will bless your soul..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXVUYC_ykwE
All for His Glory!
Harold D. Thomas
Thought-Provoking Questions
The
purpose
of
the
questions
below
is
to
facilitate
a
deeper
understanding
of
the
Bible,
this
Bible
study
content,
and
ourselves.
The
questions
may
be
answered
by
each
reader;
or
used
by
a
Bible
study
group
leader
or
church
pastor.
The following questions should be answered or discussed after reading “God’s Grace and the Hardened Heart.”
There
are
two
types
of
questions:
lesson
and
opinion.
Lesson
questions
(preceded
by
a
number)
are
provided
an
answer.
Opinion
questions
(preceded
by
an
“O”)
are
designed
to
enhance
learning
via
the
determination
of
opinions
and/or discovering how the lesson content illuminates our personal lives. As such, no answers are provided
Questions
(Do your best to respond to each lesson question before looking at the answer.)
1. What are the three different ways a heart will harden?
2. What are some of the negative consequences of a hardened heart?
3. What must occur to begin the process of softening and healing a hardened heart?
4. How would you define a broken and contrite heart?
O How can the forgiveness of our sins through Jesus Christ soften our heart?
O Are areas within your heart hardened? If yes:
•
How did this occur?
•
What can you do to soften your heart?
Answers
1. Sin, works-based religion and unforgiveness.
2. Desensitization of conscience, internal turmoil, delusional justification, increased sin, increased darkness, and a
disconnection from God.
3. When a person is “fed up” with the consequences (had enough); when the associated pain is too much to deal with
(or is greater than whatever pleasure the sin provides); and when they ask God for forgiveness.
4. Sees, understands, despises and takes responsibility for sin. Stops trusting self and trusts God. Pride converts to
humility as they yield to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and allows the Holy Spirit to change them from within. Will
grieve over sin, transitions from judgment to forgiveness of others, and grows in agape love.
The questions may be viewed and downloaded as a PDF file by clicking on this button.
The words of Jesus Christ are in
red text.
This
writing
describes
the
functions
,
characteristics,
and
consequences
of
two
opposing
conditions
of
our
spiritual
heart
described
in
the
Bible:
one
is
a
hardened
heart,
the
other
is
a
broken
and
contrite
heart.
The
intent
is
to
illuminate
the
importance
of
being
aware
of
the
spiritual
condition
of
your
heart;
to
recognize
why
we
(and
others)
do
what
we
do;
and
to
witness
the
transformational
influence
of
God’s
grace
upon a hardened heart.
Jesus
said,
“A
good
man
out
of
the
good
treasure
of
his
heart
brings
forth
good;
and
an
evil
man
out
of
the
evil
treasure
of
his
heart
brings
forth
evil.
For
out
of
the
abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45
“Keep
your
heart
with
all
diligence,
for
out
of
it
spring
the
issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23
Hardened Heart
“Happy
is
the
man
who
is
always
reverent,
but
he
who
hardens his heart will fall into calamity.” Proverbs 28:14
“But
in
accordance
with
your
hardness
and
your
impenitent
heart
you
are
treasuring
up
for
yourself
wrath
in
the
day
of
wrath
and
revelation
of
the
righteous
judgment
of God.” Romans 2:5
There
are
three
primary
pathways
that
lead
to
a
hardened
heart:
•
Sin
•
Works-based
religion:
saved
by
adherence
to
behavioral
laws
and
not
God’s
unmerited
grace
in
Jesus
Christ.
Example:
Pharisees
who
believed
salvation
was
based
on
adherence
to
religious
laws
and works (Matthew 23).
•
Unforgiveness
As
a
heart
hardens,
defensive
shields
will
develop
to
circumvent
(repel,
evade,
thwart,
stop)
what
the
eyes
see
and
what
the
ears
hear.
The
consequences
are
constricted
spiritual
awareness;
an
obstructed
reception
of
God’s grace
; and an ever-increasing darkness within.
“They
are
darkened
in
their
understanding
and
separated
from
the
life
of
God
because
of
the
ignorance
that
is
in
them due to the hardening of their hearts.” Eph. 4:18
The
hardened
condition
of
our
heart
will
become
even
stronger
when
we
encounter
the
will
of
God
via
the
Holy
Spirit—and
we
decide
to
fight
His
will
by
holding
onto
our
pride;
and
our
arrogance;
and
as
we
foolishly
justify
our
decision
based
upon
a
self-centered
deceptional
lie.
The
only
means
to
maintain
our
position—and
disagreement
with
God—is
to
increase
the
hardness
of
our
heart.
There
is
no
other
option
for
the
stubborn
and
unwilling
heart
of
one who decides to not listen and obey the Holy Spirit.
For
example,
consider
how
the
heart
of
Pharaoh
was
hardened—even
when
he
witnessed
miraculous
signs
from
God.
(Exodus
chapters
7-14).
He
dug
his
heels
in;
he
would
not
listen;
he
would
not
obey;
and
he
would
not
yield—because his heart was hardened.
The
consequences
of
our
folly
are
a
disconnection
from
the
One
who
loves
us,
desensitization
of
our
conscience,
internal
turmoil,
and
worsening
behaviors
intended
to
protect
and
maintain
the
heart’s
hardened
condition.
This
is
what
occurs
when
we
decide
to
turn
away
from
the
Truth—Who
continues
to
scream
at
us
with
a
very
quiet,
patient,
and
loving
voice
calling
us
to
repentance.
But
praise
God
in
that
His
voice
cannot
be
muted…because
God
fulfills
all
His
promises.
Even
if
we
attempt
to
run…He
said
He
would
never
leave
us
nor
forsake
us.
Hebrews 13:5
Meanwhile,
we
do
everything
possible
to
not
listen,
and
blindly
seek
means
to
overcome
the
darkness
within
our
soul.
We
self-medicate.
We
blame
others.
We
seek
to
satisfy
the
lusts
of
our
flesh.
We
consume
useless
mind-
numbing
information.
We
listen
to
demonically-inspired
lies
that
align
with—and
justify—our
deceived
minds.
But
we
know…deep
within
our
soul…we
are
wrong.
Dead
wrong.
Hardening of a Christian Heart
Hardening
of
the
heart
may
be
even
stronger
for
one
who
knows
Jesus
Christ…than
one
who
does
not
know
Him.
This
type
of
hardening
can
occur
when
one
who
has
been
enlightened
by
the
Holy
Spirit
decides
to
reject
His
Lordship,
and
return
to
their
old
“self.”
When
this
occurs,
to
continually
reinforce
a
deceptional
lie
one
must
actively
repel
all
truth—which
requires
layer
upon
layer
of
additional
“armor.”
Meanwhile,
there
are
two
options
if
they
continue
their
destructive
path:
(1)
they
can
stay
within
the
church
body
and
hide
behind
a
fake
front,
or
(2)
they
can
leave
their
church
body.
Meanwhile,
the
Christian
will
live
a
life
“in
between”
the
non-saved
and
the
saved:
a
spiritual
“limbo.”
Their
hardened
heart
causes
them
to
be
unable
to
relate
to
those
in
the
world
(because
they
know,
understand,
and
see
the
consequences
of
sin);
and
because
they
are
not
able
to
relate
to
brothers
and
sisters in Christ because of condemnation and guilt.
Unfortunately,
all
of
us
can
relate
to
living
life
“in
between”
because
we
have
all
been
there!
This
struggle
defines
the
decisive
battle
of
who
is
Lord
of
our
soul.
In
the
midst
of
trying
to
maintain
control;
in
the
midst
of
being
pulled
in
multiple
directions,
in
the
midst
of
all
the
noise,
confusion,
pain,
and
darkness…is
a
desire
deep
within
our
heart
to
be
right
with
God;
to
be
more
like
Him
and
less
like
ourselves; and to be free from that which binds our soul.
The Pharisee and the Tax Collector
Jesus
Christ
used
parables
to
challenge
our
thinking,
enlighten
our
understanding,
and
reveal
spiritual
truths
that
can
only
come
from
the
One
who
designed
us.
The
parable
of
the
Pharisee
and
tax
collector
reveals
God
is
more
interested
in
the
attitude,
desires,
and
condition
of
our heart…than our outward behavior.
Jesus
spoke,
“Two
men
went
up
to
the
temple
to
pray,
one
a
Pharisee
and
the
other
a
tax
collector.
The
Pharisee
stood
and
prayed
thus
with
himself,
‘God,
I
thank
You
that
I
am
not
like
other
men—extortioners,
unjust,
adulterers,
or
even
as
this
tax
collector.
I
fast
twice
a
week;
I
give
tithes
of
all
that
I
possess.’
And
the
tax
collector,
standing
afar
off,
would
not
so
much
as
r
aise
his
eyes
to
heaven,
but
beat
his
breast,
saying,
‘God,
be
merciful
to
me
a
sinner!’
I
tell
you,
this
man
went
down
to
his
house
justified
rather
than
the
other;
for
everyone
who
exalts
himself
will
be
humbled,
and
he
who
humbles
himself
will
be
exalted.” Luke 18:9-14
The
Pharisee
believed
salvation
was
based
on
adherence
to
religious
laws
and
works,
and
did
everything
he
thought
was
required.
As
such,
he
thought
he
was
“good
enough.”
However,
he
exhibited
an
additional
darkened
dimension
of
a
hardened
heart:
judgmental
hypocrisy.
This
is
when
we
judge
others
while
failing
to
recognize
our
own
flaws.
But
what’s
truly
sad,
because
of
his
hardened
heart
he
was unable to understand the heart of God.
Those
who
place
their
faith
in
God’s
grace—extended
to
us
in
the
sacrificial
death
of
His
Son,
Jesus
Christ—like
the
tax
collector,
will
see
themselves—and
God—from
a
completely different perspective.
“But
God,
who
is
rich
in
mercy,
because
of
His
great
love
with
which
He
loved
us,
even
when
we
were
dead
in
trespasses,
made
us
alive
together
with
Christ.”
Ephesians 2:4-5
Broken and Contrite Heart
Softening
and
“healing”
of
a
hardened
heart
begins
when
we’ve
reached
the
point
where
we
have
had
enough:
when
the
pain
exceeds
the
pleasure.
This
is
when
a
crack
occurs
in
the
armor
that’s
protecting
our
heart
allowing
a
“sliver
of
light”
via
the
Holy
Spirit
to
enter
and
illuminate
His
Truth;
this
is
when
our
hardened
heart
begins
to
weaken
from
the
internal
pressure
of
regret
and
sorrow;
this
is
when
God’s
grace
acts
as
a
solvent
to
dissolve
the
hardened
layers
and
soften
the
scars;
and
this
is
when
we
experience
the
miraculous
influence
and
power
of
God’s
g
race upon our heart’s broken and contrite transformation.
Broken
is
defined
as
damaged,
altered,
or
disrupted
by
change.
Contrite
is
a
feeling
or
showing
sorrow
and
remorse
for
sin.
However,
a
broken
and
contrite
heart
is
more,
much
more.
A
broken
and
contrite
heart
occurs
when we:
•
See and understand the depth of our depravity.
•
Despise who we are.
•
Are repulsed by what we have done.
•
Accept responsibility for our behavior.
•
Realize
the
uselessness
of
relying
upon
our
flawed
self-centered decisions…and decide to trust God.
•
Desire
to
become
more
like
Jesus
and
less
like
ourselves.
•
This is when:
o
Our pride melts into humility.
o
We
humbly
kneel
before
the
mercy
of
God
and
Lordship of Jesus Christ.
o
God can change us from within.
“But
on
this
one
will
I
look:
on
him
who
is
poor
and
of
a
contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word.” Isaiah 66:2
“For
You
do
not
desire
sacrifice,
or
else
I
would
give
it;
You
do
not
delight
in
burnt
offering.
The
sacrifices
of
God
are
a
broken
spirit,
a
broken
and
a
contrite
heart—these,
O God, You will not despise.” Psalm 51:16-17
In addition, a broken and contrite heart will:
•
Grieve
over
their
sin
(a
key
requirement
for
repentance).
•
Not
judge
others,
but
will
be
filled
with
understanding
and compassion.
•
Not
allow
sinful
thoughts
to
fester
into
unrighteousness.
•
Seek
the
strength
of
God
to
move
towards
His
holiness.
•
Be renewed via trials and tribulations.
•
Experience agape love.
“I
will
give
you
a
new
heart
and
put
a
new
spirit
within
you;
I
will
take
the
heart
of
stone
out
of
your
flesh
and
give
you
a
heart
of
flesh.”
Ezekiel 36:26
“For
thus
says
the
High
and
Lofty
One
Who
inhabits
eternity,
whose
name
is
Holy:
‘I
dwell
in
the
high
and
holy
place,
with
him
who
has
a
contrite
and
humble
spirit,
to
revive
the
spirit
of
the
humble,
and
to
revive
the
heart
of
the contrite ones.’” Is
aiah 57:15
“Blessed
are
the
pure
in
heart:
for
they
shall
see
God.”
Matthew 5:8
I
pray
this
writing
provides
you
with
a
greater
understanding
of
the
conditions
of
your
heart.
But
more
important,
you
yield
moment-by-moment
to
the
Lordship
of
Jesus
Christ
as
the
Holy
Spirit
prepares
us
to
live
for
eternity with our Savior.
Additional
writings
are
accessible
by
clicking
on
the
Home
button below. Topics include:
•
21 Signs of the Last Days
•
Foundation
•
Body, Heart, Soul, and Spirit
•
Emotions
•
Free Will
•
Pride
•
Revelation’s Blessings
•
Memories
•
Angels, Fallen Angels & Demons
Each
writing
(PDF
file)
may
be
downloaded
for
free
and
read and/or forwarded to others...including this lesson!
Click
the
link
below
to
hear
a
song
of
praise
that
will
bless
your soul.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXVUY
C_ykwE
All for His Glory!
H
arold D. Thomas
Thought-Provoking Questions
The
purpose
of
the
questions
below
is
to
facilitate
a
deeper
understanding
of
the
Bible,
this
Bible
study
content,
and
ourselves.
The
questions
may
be
answered
by
each
reader;
or
used
by
a
Bible
study
group
leader
or
church
pastor.
The
following
questions
should
be
answered
or
discussed
after
reading
“God’s
Grace
and
the Hardened Heart.”
There
are
two
types
of
questions:
lesson
and
opinion.
Lesson
questions
(preceded
by
a
number)
are
provided
an
answer.
Opinion
questions
(preceded
by
an
“O”)
are
designed
to
enhance
learning
via
the
determination
of
opinions
and/or
discovering
how
the
lesson
content
illuminates
our
personal
lives.
As
such,
no
answers
are
provided
Questions
(Do
your
best
to
respond
to
each
lesson
question before looking at the answer.)
1. What are the three different ways a heart will harden?
2.
What
are
some
of
the
negative
consequences
of
a
hardened heart?
3.
What
must
occur
to
begin
the
process
of
softening
and
healing a hardened heart?
4. How would you define a broken and contrite heart?
O
How
can
the
forgiveness
of
our
sins
through
Jesus
Christ soften our heart?
O Are areas within your heart hardened? If yes:
•
How did this occur?
•
What can you do to soften your heart?
Answers
1.
Sin, works-based religion and unforgiveness.
2.
Desensitization
of
conscience,
internal
turmoil,
delusional
justification,
increased
sin,
increased
darkness, and a disconnection from God.
3.
When
a
person
is
“fed
up”
with
the
consequences
(had
enough);
when
the
associated
pain
is
too
much
to
deal
with
(or
is
greater
than
whatever
pleasure
the
sin
provides); and when they ask God for forgiveness.
4.
Sees,
understands,
despises
and
takes
responsibility
for
sin.
Stops
trusting
self
and
trusts
God.
Pride
converts
to
humility
as
they
yield
to
the
Lordship
of
Jesus
Christ,
and
allows
the
Holy
Spirit
to
change
them
from
within.
Will
grieve
over
sin,
transitions
from
judgment
to
forgiveness
of
others,
and
grows
in
agape
love.
The
questions
may
be
viewed
and
down
loaded
as
a
PDF
file by clicking on this button.
The words of Jesus Christ are in
red text.
